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Wenger: Why I decided not to sign Dimitri Payet

We can add West Ham’s Dimitri Payet to the list of players Arsene Wenger has watched many times but ultimately failed to sign.

The Frenchman – scorer of nine goals and creator of eight more in the Premier League this season – is a free-kick specialistwho has lifted the Hammers to the cusp of a Champions League place.

West Ham and Arsenal play on Saturday and Wenger has said ahead of the game: “He was a top talent, always, but had periods of being up and down.

“I’ve looked at him many times. I’ve known him for a long time. He played at Saint-Etienne and we watched him many times.

“I think he has all the attributes to be a top player, which he is, but he’s 29 years old already. He’s matured a lot and come back into the national team, which shows he was more consistent.

“But historically we always had a great number of creative players – we had Mesut Ozil, Santi Cazorla, Jack Wilshere, Aaron Ramsey – they are all offensive players and I’ve certainly forgotten a few, so we had the numbers.”

Wenger saying Arsenal didn't move for Payet because they already had Wilshere. Sounds like a guy pretending he watches European football.